Current situation
Arland is the second-largest city in Kildar, and were it broader in scope and population, it might well rival Stormhaven for the title of the new capital. Nestled in the central-eastern part of the country, where the vast Arland Forest meets the sea, the city thrives at the crossroads of nature, magic, and trade.
General layout
Arland is divided into two distinct yet interconnected districts: the Harbour district and the Elvish district. While both are deeply shaped by elven culture, they differ in focus and function.
Elvish district - western part of Arland- set slightly inland and elevated above the port, a realm of artistry, magic, and tradition. Here, elegant spires, tree-bound homes, and tranquil gardens reflect centuries of elven craftsmanship. It is home to the city’s most skilled artisans, renowned scholars, and the iconic Colosseum—center of both refined duels and brutal contests.
Harbour district - eastern part of Arland - occupies the waterfront, a bustling hub of shipbuilding, trade, and foreign visitors. Its shipyards produce the finest enchanted vessels in Kildar, while its markets and taverns serve sailors, merchants, and travelers from distant lands.
Population
Arland’s population is remarkably diverse, though its elven heritage—both High and Wood—remains its cultural backbone. Elves dominate the Elvish district, where mastery in art, magic, philosophy, and combat defines one’s place in society. These elves, however, are not isolationist. They welcome members of other races who have proven their excellence, resulting in a district filled with skilled humans, gnomes, halflings, and representatives of other races artisan whose work aligns with elven ideals of beauty and mastery.
The Harbour District, in contrast, is more chaotic, practical, and densely populated. Here, the permanent residents include laborers, shipbuilders, traders, tavern owners, and maintenance crews, This working-class core keeps the city functioning and connected to the broader continent.
What truly sets Arland apart is the sheer size of its temporary population. Foreign merchants dock at the port daily, students arrive from across Kildar to study under the city’s masters, and travelers stream in to witness or fight in the famous Colosseum. These visitors may only stay for a season or a few years, but their constant movement adds to the city’s vibrancy—and its unpredictability.
Despite their differences, all who live or pass through Arland contribute to its unique rhythm: refined yet dangerous, ancient yet ever-evolving.
General economy
Arland’s economy thrives through a rare balance of elegance, labor, and opportunity. Positioned between the great trade cities of Stormhaven and Šraku and nestled between sea and forest, Arland has naturally become a crossroads of commerce, culture, and craft.
At its core, Arland is known for producing high-value (ideally unique) goods—from enchanted ships and artisan crafts to fine weaponry, magical items, and renowned works of art. Much of this originates in the Elvish district, where masters of many races—especially elves—work with patience and skill to create items sought after across the continent.
The city is also a center of learning. Arland’s academies, dueling schools, and magical colleges attract students from far and wide. The steady flow of temporary residents—scholars, artists, merchants, adventurers—keeps gold flowing into taverns, markets, and guilds throughout the city.
Trade is another pillar of the economy. Arland’s harbor serves as a major transit point for goods moving along the eastern coast of Kildar. While the city imports raw materials, it exports finished masterpieces, magical wares, ships, and herbal resources gathered from the nearby forest.
Lastly, the Colosseum is a unique economic and cultural engine, hosting everything from deadly Wood Elf duels to prestigious tournaments and dramatic performances. It draws spectators, fighters, and bettors from every corner of the realm.
Altogether, Arland is not just wealthy—it is culturally influential and economically resilient, blending elven traditions with the ambitions of a diverse and ever-changing population.
Government
Arland was originally governed by a Governor appointed by the Elven monarchy, typically serving terms of 100 to 150 years. However, with the disappearance of the Elven royal line following the events of Crimson Dusk, the traditional system of succession has been left without a clear path forward. For now, the current Governor—an experienced and pragmatic elf—continues to rule, though uncertainty lingers about the city's long-term political future.
The Governor’s primary responsibilities include:
Maintaining safety and order within Arland’s borders.
Ensuring harmony between High Elves and Wood Elves, particularly in matters surrounding the shared stewardship of the Colosseum.
Overseeing the protection and operation of the shipyards, which are vital to both the city’s economy and its defense.
Acting as a liaison with the city’s powerful guilds, hearing their concerns and coordinating shared interests.
Safeguarding the adjacent forest region—balancing the need for resource use with the preservation of its natural and magical integrity.
The Governor is supported by the Captain of the Elven Guard, who oversees law enforcement and maintains order primarily within the Elvish district. In contrast, the Harbour District is patrolled mostly by non-elven guards, operating under the authority of a local overseer familiar with the district’s more diverse and transient population.
However, in times of crisis or city-wide threats, command of all security forces can be consolidated under the Captain of the Elven Guard, ensuring a unified response and swift coordination across both districts. This structure maintains everyday autonomy while preserving the ability to act decisively when needed.
Though the Governor holds significant authority, their power is often tempered by the influence of guilds, ancient Elven customs, and the ever-watchful eyes of both the city’s citizens and its mercenary elite.
Military presence
Arland maintains a strong and well-organized military presence, deeply interwoven with its culture and economy. The Colosseum, a centerpiece of the city, draws in a vast array of fighters—ranging from aspiring novices to seasoned champions. Recognizing the potential of this influx, Military Guilds are trying to bring them under their banners.
To cultivate new talent, the guilds often sponsor promising individuals through the prestigious Bran Chevron Military College, renowned across Kildar for its rigorous instruction in martial arts, tactics, and battlefield magic. Even veteran warriors seek out the college to refine their technique or master a new weapon style. The combination of discipline, honor, and opportunity makes Arland an ideal training ground for elite forces.
This martial ecosystem is further strengthened by the Shipwrights’ Guild, which forms a vital branch of the military structure. Not only does it produce Arland’s iconic enchanted ships, but it also supports naval training and maritime security. Thanks to the best shipyards on the eastern coast, the Shipwrights’ Guild holds tremendous economic and political influence, both within the Harbour district and across greater Kildar.
The military presence in Arland is so dominant that even the Eldritch Inquisition had to yield to the conditions set by the Military Guilds regarding the portal’s activation. Their primary demand was that only a handful of Gateway Custodians would be stationed there, while the bulk of the portal’s defense would fall under the control of the Military Guilds.
Altogether, Arland is not only a city of learning and trade—it is a place where warriors are made, fleets are forged, and the ambitions of soldiers, mercenaries, and commanders find fertile ground to grow.
Entrance to the Arland forest
Though Arland Forest is home to ancient Elven settlements, it remains a perilous and untamed wilderness. Wild beasts such as owlbears and displacer beasts are among the lesser threats one might encounter. The forest itself is treacherous—easy to get lost in, filled with poisonous plants and toxic fungi, and haunted by deeper, stranger dangers.
Entering the forest from anywhere other than Arland is especially risky. The city's proximity to a relatively stable edge of the forest is what earned it the original name “Arland Gate”—a title now usually shortened for simplicity. Despite its risks, the forest is prized for its rich alchemical resources, especially rare herbs and flowers, as well as for high-quality timber. The abundance of wildlife is preserved in part thanks to Elven vigilance and the land’s inherent dangers, which deter overexploitation.
For those determined—or desperate—enough to enter, guides-for-hire in Arland offer safer passage. Each guide tends to have a specific specialty: some know the terrain intimately, others are experts in flora or fauna, and a few even claim connections with the forest's more secretive Elven enclaves. While survival can never be guaranteed, these guides offer the best chance of returning from Arland Forest with your life—and perhaps a rare prize in hand.